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WILMINGTON-Adam McQuaid's already frustrating leg injury has gotten just a tad more exasperating.

Coach Claude Julien, who had hoped his big defenseman would be available for this weekend's back-to-back games against Washington (Saturday at home) and the Rangers (Sunday at Madison Square Garden), said today that McQuaid had suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.

He'd been skating with the team and traveled to Buffalo, participating in Wednesday's morning skate. He was then given a day off for Thursday's optional practice, but then he wasn't able to go in today's session at Ristuccia Arena, either.

While the details of the injury have been scarce, McQuaid has missed 28 games over three different stints on the shelf, including the last nine games before the Olympic break.

“(The medical staff) told me this morning that yesterday they gave him some rest and today they wanted to give him some more and they felt like there was a bit of a setback. So again, it becomes a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month. I'm not sure anymore,” said Julien wryly. “I'm relying on their feedback almost every day. It's been a frustrating injury for him and I know he's really itching to get back and those kind of things happen. He's set back a little bit and hopefully we get some better news in the next few days.”

Julien said that with the loss of McQuaid, the emergence of Kevan Miller has been something of a Godsend.

“Not just Adam, but Dennis Seidenberg,” said Julien. “We've gotten a player who is big, strong, physical and we've lost two players that are big, strong, physical. He's filled that hole for us and at the same time I think he's been pretty reliable. You don't see too many mistakes on his part. He moves the puck well, he's very physical and we've seen how tough he can be as well. Hes been a great addition to us, especially with what we've been through on our back end.”...

As expected, Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson were given another day off and, barring anything unforeseen, will play tomorrow against the Capitals.